THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
CWS EMERGENCY APPEAL: TANZANIA FOOD RELIEF ASSISTANCE
March 24, 2006


SITUATION: Latest reports from the Tanzanian government indicate that 
the food security situation in Tanzania is poor, with 3.76 million 
people -- more than 10 percent of the country's population -- needing a 
total of 99,676 tons of food assistance.

The food deficit in Tanzania is linked to the failure of rains between 
August and November 2005. A rapid vulnerability assessment carried out 
by the national government, the World Food Program (WFP), and 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in early February identified 
564,000 of the total impacted population as being destitute and in need 
of free food distribution.

To date, the government of Tanzania has not declared a national 
emergency but WFP and NGOs are concerned that government resources are 
insufficient to meet the urgent needs of this vulnerable population. The 
long rainy season is now expected between March and May, but if it fails 
or comes too late, the number of people needing food relief could 
actually increase.


RESPONSE: Church World Service is responding by supporting efforts of 
the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), a member of the ACT 
International alliance, which is providing food relief to approximately 
80,500 of the most destitute people in seven regions in rural Tanzania, 
distributing food aid through its member churches the Anglican Church of 
Tanzania (ACT), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), the 
African Inland Church of Tanzania (AIC) and the Mennonite Church of 
Tanzania (MEN).

The aid is vital sustenance until the next harvest, expected in July.


SPECIFICS: The number of destitute in the areas where CCT member 
churches plan to intervene numbers about 160,378, and CCT member 
churches plan to respond to the food needs of about half of this number 
- roughly 80,500 persons.

CCT member churches are facilitating the formation of local food relief 
committees involving members from all segments of the community and will 
identify the most vulnerable and destitute. From past experience, this 
targeted population will include the elderly, expectant mothers, the 
disabled, women headed families and those living with by HIV/AIDS.

Aid will center on distribution of 2,067 metric tons of maize, to be 
stored initially in 13 food storage centers and then distributed by 
CCT-member churches.


BUDGET: $741,141, includes $707,558 in direct assistance (maize) to be 
distributed by the CCT-member churches. That cost includes transport and 
unloading. (CWS can provide a full budget if requested.)

Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be sent to your 
denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 
46515. Please designate Tanzania Food Relief Assistance, Account #641-J 
(Ref. ACT AFTZ-61)

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding -- or to make a credit card contribution -- please visit the 
Church World Service Website at www.churchworldservice.org or phone 
(800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151;
International: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic: lreedbrown@churchworldservice.org

CWS / ERP web site: www.cwserp.org

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